Improvement in-shoulder-straps for officers



UNITED Srnrns IMPRVEMENT ibi SHULDFRSTHAPS lli-'Glpi @i-'TFHCEMS Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. ht'ldll?, dated December 9, 1862.

.['0 ala' whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Geenen G. Evans, of Philadelphia,eounty of Philadel phia, and State ofPennsylvania, have invented anew and usefnl'Shoulder-Strap Case, for Army Officers ;v and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in a combination and arrangement of a border plate or frame, a detachable back plate, and certain other attachments by which the two, when combined, may be affixed to the shoulder part of the coat of an army ofticer.

The purpose of my invention is to support and carry a shoulder-strap, to enable it to be either readily connected with or disconnected from the shoulder part ofthe coat of an officer, and also to enable the border-plate to be readily detached from the strap for the purpose of being cleaned without injury to the strap.

The strap case, which consists ofthe ornamental border-plate A and its back plate, B, is intended to contain the strap, which is to consist of a rectangular or other properly shaped piece of cloth, ornamented with bars or other devices, to indicate the rank of an officer. Heretofore, the strap-case has been connected to a backing of pasteboard, covered or lined with cloth, and the hole has been sewed to the coat of the officer. This construction and application of the strap-case does not admit ofits ready removal from the coat. It is now deemed important, prior to an action or engagement with an enemy, that an officer should be able to detach easily from his shoulders the insignia ofrank; and, furthermore, in order that the border-frame may be cleaned, or a new cloth inserted, itis desirable to have it so connected with the back plate as to admit of its being readily detached from the latter and the strap fastened thereto.

My invention also affords the advantages of an easy removal of the shoulder-strap, when worn or defaced, and the substitution of another or perfect one in the place of the worn or defaced strap, the frame or case being thereby saved, or in case of promotion of an officer lie can retain his frame or case and put therein a new shoulder-strap or device indicative of higher rank.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

Figure lis a top view. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is aview of back plate and screwstuds. Fig. 4f. shows two views of the fastening-studs.

Fig. l shows the ornamental border-frame A, which is to be of metal, either cast or struck up in a die or dies, and with such an ornamentation on its outer surface as circumstances may require. D is the shoulderstrap, inclosed in the case.

Fig. 2 is a section showing` the borderplate A and the blocks e at each end soldered into it. Into these blocks the studs c are screwed. D is the shoulder-strap, inclosed between the back plate, I3, and borderplate A. The studs c, being put through the back plate and shoulder-strap, are screwed into the blocks of the border-plate and hold all firmly together. In the coat Il are placed eyelets g, corresponding in position to the studs e. These studs have a shifting slotted link, as shown more plainly in Fig. el, which is capable of being placed in a direct line with the shank, as shown at K, Fig. a. The stud can then be inserted through the eyelet on the coat, and the link then turned, as at L, Fig. Li, securely fastening the case to the coat.

Fig. 3 shows the back plate, with the studs c protruding through and fastened 5 also, the hole through which the pins of the bars cr other devices may be inserted.

Fig. et shows the stud. It is made witha tube, m, inclosing a spring, a, and a slotted link, L. rllhis link is kept in the position shown at L by the spring n pressing it up against thepin o, the said pin fittinginto a notch. in the center of the link. Before inserting the stud through the eyelct the link is slid along to one end of the slot, and turned up into the position shown at K, in a straight line with the shank. It is then put through the eyelet and afterward turned again, as shown'at L. To this portion of the stud above described is attached a collar, P, and screw It. The link L, when turned atright angles, as at L, enables one to screw the stud into the border-plate with the thumb and finger, dispensing,` with eyelets g, arranged and operating` substanthe use ot' a screwdriver, and combining a tially as described.

thumbscrew and stud in the same article. 2. In combination with the above, the stud This stud is adapted to putting` devices and composed of the slotted link L,tubem, spring other military ornaments on army clothing. n, collar l?, and screw R, substantially as de- NYhat I claiin as my invention, and desire to scribed.

i secure by Letters Patent, is- Witnesses: GEORGE G. EVANS.

l. The combination of the border-plate A, G. B. JONES,

the detachable back plate, B, the studs c, and J. M. BLOOD. 

